for fun: Do/Would you still put on all your makeup and decent clothes if you are quarantined

[awhfy]

That mint white chocolate martini looks fabulous!!!

[Lois R]

22 minutes ago, awhfy said:

That mint white chocolate martini looks fabulous!!!

[Lois R]

23 minutes ago, awhfy said:

That mint white chocolate martini looks fabulous!!!

I agree........sounds delicious too too😃

[MrToblerone]

Hi Cynthia and girls

That martini does look delicious.

I hope you managed to avoid covid !

Look forward to reading about your travels ,I would love to go back to the hotel 

you recommended in Rome one day.

I have been researching Spain for out two weeks prior to the cruise.

Off to work now ,the Christmas rush is slow this year ,a lot of people are having to be careful of their spending over here.

[slidergirl]

Hi all.  Busy, busy, busy.

Got to drive to work through the first winter storm of the year Friday.  No fun at all.  At least I remembered how!!   Busy trying to replicate mail and our calendar on Google to make up for the loss of our Outlook stuff.  Interesting since I know nothing about Google (other than the web browser).  I'm finding some of our old documents and trying to get them ported over to share mode.  Ugh.  Times when I wish I wasn't known as the one who knows computers 🙀  I get a new co-worker on Tuesday, so it'll be training time, just in time for us to start getting our holiday guests.  We're putting up the 2 Christmas trees and our staircase garland now.  One of my least favorite things to do. 

 

Lois - I'm so relieved to hear that your numbers did drop and you are back home!  I'm asking Santa to bring you a "health break" for Christmas!

 

Melody - I've had 2 pair of the Delancey herringbone and 1 textured tights.  Salt & Pepper in both and blue & black in herringbone.  But, none of them fit me now (too baggy).  I may have to buy at least one of them to add again.  Right now I'm just wearing either my blue or black jeans into work.  Maybe in a week or so I'll bring my leggings into play - I have to get used to the temperature in the Lodge.  

 

Cynthia - that martini does look good!  Sorry 'bout the 'vid visiting the ship.  It's our gift that never stops giving, I guess.  Be safe - did you bring a mask?  I still carry one.

 

OOTD:  my Driftwood black jeans and a cashmere hoodie sweater that I got from one of my owners last year (the one who also owns the villa in Tuscany).  And my gray Chaco wool lace-up booties.  I'm the only one here besides the maintenance guy, so I'm just sitting at the desk and petting the sweater 😻

 

 

[Lois R]

Hi Kat, thanks so much.  You know how we all discuss medical issues..well, they want to put me on 2 new meds. One is a VERY cheap BP medication.....like less than 2.00 for a 30 day supply....BUT the Dr wants me to change my diabetes medication too and I found out yesterday that it is VERY, VERY expensive😧. I told the pharmacist not to fill it because it being the end of the year......they want to charge me 500.00😮for a 30 day supply.......I said NO. I need to speak to my Primary Care Dr and see what is what....this was prescribed by the "ON CALL" Dr at the hospital.....they want me to start taking JANUVIA but there is no generic for it..... now I know Medicare starts over in January......I will have to see if I can find a cheaper medication! ......when was the last time they had no generic for a diabetes medicine?

[slidergirl]

19 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Kat, thanks so much.  You know how we all discuss medical issues..well, they want to put me on 2 new meds. One is a VERY cheap BP medication.....like less than 2.00 for a 30 day supply....BUT the Dr wants me to change my diabetes medication too and I found out yesterday that it is VERY, VERY expensive😧. I told the pharmacist not to fill it because it being the end of the year......they want to charge me 500.00😮for a 30 day supply.......I said NO. I need to speak to my Primary Care Dr and see what is what....this was prescribed by the "ON CALL" Dr at the hospital.....they want me to start taking JANUVIA but there is no generic for it..... now I know Medicare starts over in January......I will have to see if I can find a cheaper medication! ......when was the last time they had no generic for a diabetes medicine?

Believe me, I totally know about the cost of the Diabetes meds.  There are no generics except for Metformin (that I know of).  At the beginning of the year, my Jardiance and Rybelsus cost over $500 each.  But, then they eat up my Medicare deductible for meds and the cost goes down to abut $150 for a 90 day supply for Rybelsus (I know because I just got it yesterday.).  Rybelsus is the daily pill form of Semaglutide (i.e. Ozempic).   Be sure to talk to your PCP about the different drugs and which would work best for you.   I take 4 - Metformin, Jardiance, Rybelsus and 1 more that is a generic that kickstarts the others (and it's cheap).  I'll have to look at what it is when I get home.   But, you may have to pay full-price the first time or so to eat up the deductible and then it will drop.  I think my first refills of next year will be about $1500 for all 3 (!).  

[slidergirl]

OK.  I'm home.

Lois - The cheap med that my endocrinologist added is Pioglitazone.  It's like $2 for a 30 day supply.

 

I was bored at work so I decided to look up and see if my cashmere hoodie was on the internet.  I found the company and took a peek - $379!!!!!!!!  

 

I have to do the morning shift again tomorrow.  Ugh.

[Lois R]

Hi Kat, that is the pill I was taking and the Dr didn't want me on it anymore. Yes, that one is cheap. 

I will have to speak with my primary Dr about this.......

[awhfy]

Ladies, that’s awful prices for life saving medications. I’m rather insulated from prices as we get our medications from the military pharmacy (Les gets his from the VA). We only have to pay if the med is not on the formulary & then the price is topped out under $100. A great benefit for the military service. 

[slidergirl]

3 hours ago, awhfy said:

Ladies, that’s awful prices for life saving medications. I’m rather insulated from prices as we get our medications from the military pharmacy (Les gets his from the VA). We only have to pay if the med is not on the formulary & then the price is topped out under $100. A great benefit for the military service. 

Yep, it's awful.  It's bad enough if you pay for one of them, even with Medicare.  But, some of us us have them stacked and it's a big financial hit.  In the formulary, they are at the highest level.  If I wanted to go on insulin for the rest of my life, sure, I could do $35/month.  But I don't want to do that and my endocrinologist says I don't need to.  I think the next round of prescription negotiations are supposed to have some of these in there.  Not holding my breath, though.

 

It's a beautiful, but chilly day up here at work.  34F right now, up to maybe 38F at the end of the day.  I get my nice view again out my Front Desk window.  It's really slow and will be that way the rest of the week.  I wish I had a spot to go out and sit in the sun today, but we only get sun on our deck for a short time.  

 

OOTD:  a pink floral Kari Traa base layer shirt and a pinkish purple button-up sweater vest that I bought at the consignment store.  My black jeans again.  

[Lois R]

I got through to my Dr this morning........I explained everything to him and that I was not going to pay 500.00 for 2.5 weeks worth of pills (end of the year)......he was pretty nice and actually had some samples in the office that he told me I could have and that would get me through year end.  And he put a referral in for me to see an Endrocologist (Sp)........my specialist is my Kidney Dr......boy, this is so confusing sometimes.

[sjb317]

4 hours ago, Lois R said:

I got through to my Dr this morning........I explained everything to him and that I was not going to pay 500.00 for 2.5 weeks worth of pills (end of the year)......he was pretty nice and actually had some samples in the office that he told me I could have and that would get me through year end.  And he put a referral in for me to see an Endrocologist (Sp)........my specialist is my Kidney Dr......boy, this is so confusing sometimes.

Medical care in the US is very confusing and expensive.  I’m glad you are recovering and home from the hospital, Lois. 
 

This has been a fast year, Kat, hard to believe you are back at work again!

Welcome back, Cynthia.  I agree with Melody, that martini does look fabulous!

 

And Melissa, I’ve been meaning you ask you what you would recommend we check out when we are in port in Auckland in February.  Anything we shouldn’t miss?

 

Sherri🙂

[cruisemom42]

22 hours ago, Lois R said:

I got through to my Dr this morning........I explained everything to him and that I was not going to pay 500.00 for 2.5 weeks worth of pills (end of the year)......he was pretty nice and actually had some samples in the office that he told me I could have and that would get me through year end.  And he put a referral in for me to see an Endrocologist (Sp)........my specialist is my Kidney Dr......boy, this is so confusing sometimes.

 

What a hassle for you!

 

I am not looking forward to learning my way around Medicare in a few years' time...

 

[cruisemom42]

17 hours ago, sjb317 said:

Welcome back, Cynthia.  I agree with Melody, that martini does look fabulous!

 

Just in case anyone wants to try one at home, the ingredients are vodka (a vanilla-infused one would be great but plain unflavored is fine), creme de cacao, peppermint schnapps and a splash of cream. Not sure how they do the chocolate rim, but a little cocoa sprinkled on top is also festive.

 

[sjb317]

2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Just in case anyone wants to try one at home, the ingredients are vodka (a vanilla-infused one would be great but plain unflavored is fine), creme de cacao, peppermint schnapps and a splash of cream. Not sure how they do the chocolate rim, but a little cocoa sprinkled on top is also festive.

 

I will definitely give that a try.  Thanks!

 

Sherri🙂

[WELDON]

Hi Lois,

Sorry to hear you were hospitalized. Glad you are home. I had a kidney stone but it passed. Now you need to get the meds situation straightened out.

I am on Silhouette and coming home Thursday. This has been a wonderful trip.

Melody, I hope your upcoming trip is as nice as this one e.

[MrToblerone]

Hi Sherri

The downtown of Auckland has an area called Britomart and also Commercial Bay within walking distance if you are into shopping.If not a ferry to Waiheke and go to a vineyard .St Heliers is a nice area to get an uber or bus to and lunch at a waterfront cafe .There is a hop on hop off bus but I have not been on that. Hope this helps and happy to answer any questions regarding New Zealand

 

[sjb317]

9 hours ago, MrToblerone said:

Hi Sherri

The downtown of Auckland has an area called Britomart and also Commercial Bay within walking distance if you are into shopping.If not a ferry to Waiheke and go to a vineyard .St Heliers is a nice area to get an uber or bus to and lunch at a waterfront cafe .There is a hop on hop off bus but I have not been on that. Hope this helps and happy to answer any questions regarding New Zealand

 

Thanks for the info Melissa, you’ve given me some good ideas.    We were in New Zealand on a cruise, I think maybe 2014,  and had a great time.  Beautiful country!   Auckland will be a first for us.

Sherri🙂

 

[cruisemom42]

17 hours ago, WELDON said:

Hi Lois,

Sorry to hear you were hospitalized. Glad you are home. I had a kidney stone but it passed. Now you need to get the meds situation straightened out.

I am on Silhouette and coming home Thursday. This has been a wonderful trip.

Melody, I hope your upcoming trip is as nice as this one e.

 

Glad to hear that you've been enjoying your Silhouette cruise. 😊

[awhfy]

On 12/12/2023 at 10:48 AM, cruisemom42 said:

 

Just in case anyone wants to try one at home, the ingredients are vodka (a vanilla-infused one would be great but plain unflavored is fine), creme de cacao, peppermint schnapps and a splash of cream. Not sure how they do the chocolate rim, but a little cocoa sprinkled on top is also festive.

 

Dip the top of the glass in hot water then put glass into melted chocolate, or sugar or cocoa. Easy. Or get one of the squeezable chocolates (Ghirardelli or Torino) & just make your own design inside the glass

Edited December 13, 2023 by awhfy

[awhfy]

21 hours ago, WELDON said:

Hi Lois,

Sorry to hear you were hospitalized. Glad you are home. I had a kidney stone but it passed. Now you need to get the meds situation straightened out.

I am on Silhouette and coming home Thursday. This has been a wonderful trip.

Melody, I hope your upcoming trip is as nice as this one e.

Only S class ship we haven’t been on. Really looking forward to warm sun (it’s snowing here again)

[cruisemom42]

6 minutes ago, awhfy said:

Dip the top of the glass in hot water then put glass into melted chocolate, or sugar or cocoa. Easy. Or get one of the squeezable chocolates (Ghirardelli or Torino) & just make your own design inside the glass

 

I was also thinking that the red granulated sugar would be a nice choice to rim glass or sprinkle on top....  🥰

 

[awhfy]

1 minute ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I was also thinking that the red granulated sugar would be a nice choice to rim glass or sprinkle on top....  🥰

 

It’d make it pretty!!

[cruisemom42]

By the way, in case anyone was curious about my Avatar's new gingerbread bling, 😊  you can get one too by posting a holiday cookie recipe in the holiday mingle forum's cookie exchange. You can find it here: